Basic Definition: A counter offer refers to a revised job offer made by an exiting employer to a candidate who has already accepted a job offer from another company. A counter offer is usually made in an attempt to retain the candidate and keep them from accepting the original job offer. In the recruitment process, a counter offer can be made after the candidate has accepted a job offer from another company, but before they have started work. The employer may offer a higher salary, additional benefits, or better working conditions in order to entice the candidate to stay. Counter offers can be a controversial and complicated issue in the recruitment process, as they can cause tension between the original and counter offering employers, and they can also impact the candidate’s perceived value and future job prospects.
